Now that the world is starting to recognize the pressing issue of global food waste, more and more international delegates and representatives are beginning to take action in every possible way.
On Monday, the first supermarket that offers surplus food opened its wide doors to residents of Denmark-one of the countries that is reported to throw away tons of wasted food every year.
"WeFood" quickly became a buzz. Many customers-some in solidarity with its cause, some want to satisfy their curiosity, have flocked to the store situated in Copenhagen.
Made through the initiative of a Non-Government Organization called Folkekirkens Nødhjælp, the unique market aims to lessen the bulk of wasted food their country produces and help those who are having a hard time buying food at their original prices at the same time.
"WeFood is the first supermarket of its kind in Denmark and perhaps the world, as it is not just aimed at low-income shoppers but anyone who is concerned about the amount of food waste produced in this country.
"Many people see this as a positive and politically correct way to approach the issue," Per Bjerre, leader of the project and Folkekirkens Nødhjælp representative said during the opening ceremony.
The food surplus store will be selling food products that tends to be rejected from mainstream supermarkets-those with damaged packaging and those that are past their expiry dates. WeFood will be selling these items 30-50% lower than the usual.
WeFood has partnered with local food producers as well as foreign importers of food items including Fotex, one of the biggest supermarket chains in the country for bread and other everyday food products, as well as suppliers of citrus fruits, butchers and producers of organic products, The Independent reports.
Denmark royalty was in solidarity with the objectives of the store, having officially inaugurated by Princess Marie, along with the country's Minister for Food and Environment.
The Danish Prime Minister also commends the groundbreaking initiative, saying that this movement is a way of combatting the global issue.
"It's ridiculous that food is just thrown out or goes to waste. It is bad for the environment and it is money spent on absolutely nothing. A supermarket like WeFood makes so much sense and is an important step in the battle to combat food waste," Prime Minister Eva Kjer Hansen said.
For over a year prior to its opening, Folkekirkens Nodhjaelp (DanChurch Aid) has been conducting various methods on how to help in aiding the matter. Made possible by crowd funding and donations, their project "came to life". Volunteers are also managing the store during operational hours.
Though it may seem that it was a smooth road building a surplus food market, the organization had to overcome bumps on the road-legislative obstacles and justifying the selling of expired foods.
Profits that will be raised will be allocated for future projects of the NGO, with the same hopes and mission of helping people, particularly in developing countries.
Like Denmark, France has also taken action in response to the alarming issue of food waste. The French Legislation has recently passed a law that prohibits huge-scale supermarkets from throwing away usold food and obliged them to donate those to charities and food banks.
